Vimeo shares the screen with Ava’s Impossible Things

The VOD has also partnered with incubator Big Vision Empty Wallet on its Kickstart Diversity program, which aims to promote diversity in film.

VOD service Vimeo has revealed the first project that it will support as part of its newly unveiled Share the Screen program, which aims to promote women’s voices in film.

The feature film Ava’s Impossible Things (pictured), by Marina Rice Bader, has been selected for investment by the company and will premiere exclusively on Vimeo in summer 2016. The scripted drama follows a woman named Ava who, following the death of her mother, joins up with a gang of nomadic performers and discovers a new way of life that is world’s away from her own.

Vimeo first announced Share the Screen in January with the stated aim to promote gender diversity in both filmmaking, in general, and, specifically, on the Vimeo platform. At the time of the launch, VP of content acquisition Sam Toles told StreamDaily that Vimeo would back at least five projects.

Vimeo will also host several events at the annual SXSW Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas (March 11-15), including a special showcase of Share the Screen staff picks, featuring work from female creators such as Allie Avital, Kat Candler, Judy Craig, Razan Ghalayini, Bianca Giaever, Kelsey Goldrych and Abigail Horton. (The highlighted work is not necessarily be backed by Vimeo). It will also host a meet-up connecting creators from the screening with fans.

In addition, Vimeo announced a partnership with the New York-based film incubator Big Vision Empty Wallet. Under that deal, Vimeo will assist with Big Vision’s Kickstart Diversity Program, which supports films, pilots, web series and multi-platform projects through inventive packages and distribution discounts.

Vimeo will review all of the Kickstart Diversity projects and will have the opportunity to select projects to receive dedicated funding in exchange for distribution on Vimeo on Demand, which will bring more premium content to the service.